82 x Su 30 MKI:
1. 50 SU-30MK and MKIs ordered directly from Russia in 1996. The SU-30MKs were reportedly modernized to a basic SU-30MKI standard.
2. Another 40 SU-30MKIs, ordered direct in 2007. These machines have reportedly been upgraded to the “Phase 3″ standard.
3. A license-build deal with India’s HAL that aims to produce up to 140 more SU-30MKI Phase 3 planes from 2013-2017
4. An improved set of 42 HAL-built SU-30MKI “Super 30s”. A preliminary order was reportedly signed in 2011, but the final deal waited until December 2012.https://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/india-ordering-modernizing-su-30mkis-05852/

82 x Su 30 MKI:
1. 50 SU-30MK and MKIs ordered directly from Russia in 1996. The SU-30MKs were reportedly modernized to a basic SU-30MKI standard.
2. Another 40 SU-30MKIs, ordered direct in 2007. These machines have reportedly been upgraded to the “Phase 3″ standard.
3. A license-build deal with India’s HAL that aims to produce up to 140 more SU-30MKI Phase 3 planes from 2013-2017
4. An improved set of 42 HAL-built SU-30MKI “Super 30s”. A preliminary order was reportedly signed in 2011, but the final deal waited until December 2012.https://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/india-ordering-modernizing-su-30mkis-05852/

As promised and keep in mind these are only the aircraft orders of IAF, not weapons or other systems and no orders of other forces either. Not too bad for a lost decade after all don't you think?

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Follow on orders that's It No Game changing Deal MKI contract Was already negotiated During NDA-1

In October 2000, a (MoU) was signed for Indian licence-production of 140 Su-30MKIs; in December 2000, a deal was sealed at Russia's Irkutsk aircraft plant for full technology transfer. The first Nasik-built Su-30MKIs were to be delivered by 2004, with staggered production until 2017–18. In November 2002, the delivery schedule was expedited with production to be completed by 2015. An estimated 920 AL-31FP turbofans are to be manufactured at HAL's Koraput Division, while the mainframe and other accessories are to be manufactured at HAL's Lucknow and Hyderabad divisions. Final integration and test flights of the aircraft are carried out at HAL's Nasik Division.Four manufacturing phases were outlined with progressively increasing Indian content: Phase I, II, III and IV. In phase I, HAL manufactured the Su-30MKIs from knocked-down kits, transitioning to semi knocked-down kits in phase II and III; in phase IV, HAL produced aircraft from scratch from 2013 onward

82 x Su 30 MKI:
1. 50 SU-30MK and MKIs ordered directly from Russia in 1996. The SU-30MKs were reportedly modernized to a basic SU-30MKI standard.
2. Another 40 SU-30MKIs, ordered direct in 2007. These machines have reportedly been upgraded to the “Phase 3″ standard.
3. A license-build deal with India’s HAL that aims to produce up to 140 more SU-30MKI Phase 3 planes from 2013-2017
4. An improved set of 42 HAL-built SU-30MKI “Super 30s”. A preliminary order was reportedly signed in 2011, but the final deal waited until December 2012.https://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/india-ordering-modernizing-su-30mkis-05852/

There is perception of that tenure and there is the reality of it. The perception is mixed with the scams of totally different areas, the reality is, that he bought pretty much stuff, that went unnoticed and we now praise, indeed as game changers!
Be it the transport aircrafts, that now are the pride of IAF setting records and doing an exceptional job in disaster relief missions. Same for the Dhruv and Mi 17 fleet, that improved our air rescue capabilities by far. The trainers that now are the lifeline for IAF, which had been in ruins, of he had remained waiting on HAL to deliver, or even the fact that he pushed the LCA development by getting it into IOC2 and IAF ordering a 2nd squadron, to de-link the Kaveri project.

That doesn't mean he was a good DM, but that he was far better than the public perception, or than people would give him credit for.

Could have use ME as an interim and then ensured we would get either an Irbis or a Zhuk Aesa, The Aesa upgrade suite for the MKI in coming years would be a feakin game changer.

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That's what happening now anyway with the Ks, although I would prefer Uttam. But at the time it was the best and in fact even a difficult choice, since Russia had even problems to fund the Zhuk production line.

Yes the upgrade for MKI will be a key, although I consider other systems as more important.